The grating was slapped on again by Jack, and before they could well gain their eyesight, they were seized and secured, not however without a scuffle and some noise.
By the time that these men were secured and laid between the guns it was daylight, and they now perceived what a fine vessel they had fairly taken possession of--but there was much to be done yet.

There was, of course, a number of men in the ship, and moreover they were not a mile from a battery of ten guns.

Mesty, who was foremost in everything, left four men abaft, and went forward on the forecastle, examined the cable, which was coir rope, and therefore easily divided, and then directed the two men forward to coil a hawser upon the fore-grating, the weight of which would make all safe in that quarter, and afterwards to join them on the quarter-deck.
"Now, Mr Easy, the great ting will be to get hold of captain; we must get him on deck.

Open cabin-hatch now, and keep the after-hatch fast.
Two men stay there, the others all come aft." "Yes," replied Jack, "It will be a great point to secure the captain--but how are we to get him up ?" "You no know how to get captain up?
By de holy, I know very well." And Mesty took up the coils of rope about the mizzen-mast, and threw them upon deck, one after another, making all the noise possible.

In a short time, there was a violent pull of a bell at the cabin-door, and in a minute afterwards a man in his shirt came up the cabin-hatchway, who was immediately secured.
"Dis de captain's servant," said Mesty, "he come say no make such d----d noise.